Due to the inclement rainy weather in the Daytona Beach area, NASCAR has announced that the Daytona 500 will be moved one hour from its original time to now start at 1:30 pm ET. The green flag is now scheduled for 2 pm. ET  after it was originally set for 3:11 pm. Gates will open at 9 am ET, and the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone will be open at 8:30 am. The parking lots will start to open at 6 am.

The broadcasting network will still be the same with the race airing on Fox, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR radio. The Fox broadcast will start at around 11:30 am. The Daytona International Speedway is encouraging people to arrive early due to increased security measures and traffic that would be unpredictable. They are warning people to expect long lines at the gates due to the enhanced screening processes.

“Due to the increased security measures, Daytona International Speedway encourages all attendees to arrive early for the event. Please be aware that traffic may be unpredictable, so allow extra time for potential delays. Additionally, expect longer lines at the entry gates because of the enhanced screening processes,” NASCAR said in its announcement.

Fans will still get to enjoy the pre-race performance by Pitbull and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performing the flyover at the conclusion of the National Anthem. President Donald Trump is expected to attend this year’s race according to many reports but NASCAR has not confirmed. The 2020 Daytona 500 was also postponed a day later and the 2021 event finished late, both of them were due to inclement weather. William Byron is the defending champion and Denny Hamlin is vying for his fourth Daytona 500 title.

I interviewed a freshman at Eleanor Roosevelt High School Lucas Sun and he stated, “I don’t watch cars.”

I also interviewed another freshman at ERHS and she stated, “I don’t know anything about that.”